We had one distributor in Pennsylvania who decided to deliver Pumking ahead of the planned release date. We have had a conversation with them and it seems to be an honest mistake. They have ensured us they are taking corrective action.

Due to our warehouse constraints, we rely on our distributing partners to take product early so we can ensure that all markets launch in conjunction with each other. We only trust that our distributing partners will release the beer at the scheduled time.

As for seasonal creep, we want to be very clear that this is not something that is dictated by brewers. We follow the direction given to us by our retail customers who follow the buying trends of their customers. Why does Valentine’s Day candy hit the shelves on the day after Christmas? We don’t know, do you? We are not the only industry that is affected by the so-called seasonal creep.

Sincerely,

Phin DeMink
President Southern Tier Brewing Company

PS— This year’s Pumking is particularly good!

]]>5Andrew I-Ehttp://www.stbcbeer.com/stbc/?p=6812013-11-20T16:47:35Z2012-08-08T19:00:04ZContinue Reading]]>We receive dozens of emails a week asking various questions. Here are some common queries and our best responses.

Q) When will Pumking be available in my area?

A) Pumking is released in August, and we do a ‘soft’ launch, meaning it is released as it is packaged. We ship to each distributor as quickly as we can, but we don’t know exactly when or where it will be available to consumers.

Q) Do you sell kegs? How much do kegs cost?

A) The short answer is yes. It is best to call ahead (716-763-5479 x 204), as we only accommodate beer sales during Empty Pint Hours. The longer answer is we have a limited supply here at the brewery but ‘year-round’ beers should not be a problem. Seasonal releases, Blackwater and one-off (pub only) beers may not be available. Our local distributor, Arthur Gren Company, may also be contacted for keg sales.

Q) Are your beers vegetarian/vegan friendly?

A) 2xStout and Creme Brulee are two beers containing lactose sugar, a sugar derived from cows milk. Other than the addition of lactose sugar to those two beers, we do not add any animal based ingredients. We do filter with diatomaceous earth (D.E.), a porous sedimentary deposit formed from the fossil remains of diatoms. Most people do not consider this an animal product.

Q) I have a wheat allergy. Which of your beers contain wheat?

A) 422, 2XIPA, Harvest, HopSun, UnEarthly, Iniquity and Live all have wheat in their respective recipes. Of course, with all of our beers there is always a chance of some small contamination of wheat, this is a possibility, although very remote.

Q) Can you recommend to us a place to stay while we’re visiting?

Q) Do you allow bus tours? Do you have private tours?

A) Tours are on a first come basis and are limited to 20 people. We’re really not set up for bus groups unless it is a private tour. Private tours are available by booking in advance, but we only offer those once per month (First Saturday at noon, minimum of 15 people, max of 20). Call us at 716-763-5479 to find out what dates are available. Sorry for any inconvenience.

Q) Can we have a bachelor(ette) party/wedding reception at the brewery?

A) We’re not set up for events like this, sorry.

Q) Do you have a smoking section at the pub?

A) We do not, but ask that smokers be considerate of other craft beer enthusiasts and sit down wind. There is plenty of seating available in our beer garden.

Q) May I bring my dog to the brewery?

A) Yes, but please do not bring dogs to events (concerts, festivals, pairing events). Otherwise, you may so long as the dog is leashed and is comfortable around crowds of beer drinkers. We ask that you provide your dog with water and clean up after him. Dogs are not allowed in the building for any reason unless it is a service dog.

Q) We see you sell food, but is it ok for us to bring a picnic?

A) Sorry, no. We have spent a long time developing a unique food menu, sourcing the best ingredients we can find, and ask that refrain from bringing in outside food.

Q) What’s with the Star of David on your logo?

A) It’s actually the Six-point Brewer’s Star, although both stars are similar. There is speculation by historians that the connection between the two is related, suggestions that King David was a brewer. But others believe the emblem is not related to Judaism. At any rate, we use it for it’s significance to the 19th century brewers from Europe who prided themselves upon the six points of purity and their use of this insignia was a declaration of such; representing water, hops, grain, malt, yeast and of course the brewer.